Technology Solutions for Cognitive Challenges
Do you sometimes forget when it’s time to take your medication? How about difficulty with reading and understanding? Cognitive-related MS symptoms may be addressed with the accessible technology listed below.
Assistive Reading Software
Assistive reading software reformats content, highlights text as you read, and even speaks text out loud to help make text-based materials more accessible for people who have difficulty with reading. Click here for a list of assistive reading software.
- Kurzweil 3000™, available for MAC and PC users, is a comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader. Kurzweil provides visual and auditory feedback by using highlighting, text circle tools, annotations, bookmarks, voice notes and more to help improve reading comprehension and retention.
- EasyReader is a software digital talking book player, allowing the user to read and listen to content through a combination of text, audio and images. One of the main advantages of using EasyReader is that the content becomes easy to navigate through, where a reader can skip through sections of their content and place bookmarks to highlight areas of interest.
- ClaroRead provides text to speech support tools that allow computer users to read and write independently. By making a computer speak any text with a human voice, text documents can be proofed out loud along with web pages, e-mails and any other text. ClaroRead can reduce reliance on teachers, partners, support staff and parents by giving its user the opportunity to achieve the same standards as everyone else.
Outlook/Text Message Reminders
Outlook/text message reminders are an easy way to remind yourself about important appointments or everyday tasks such as taking your medication. You can use the “calendar” function in Microsoft Outlook or other products to set up the reminders, or subscribe to Web sites that send you reminders via email.
- Outlook, Microsoft's Calendar program, can be used to set one-time or recurring reminders about specific tasks.
- TextReminders is a free Web site allows you to send scheduled reminders to your cell phone via text message.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
A PDA can serve as a virtual notepad. You can use the “memo” option to write down questions you may have for your doctor, where you parked your car, or grocery lists.
- Brainaid is a planning and execution assistant and trainer, which increases independence and quality of life for people with cognitive challenges. This hand-held device offers automatic cues to start and stop activities using customized voice recordings, sounds and pictures. It also automatically monitors performance, and corrects schedule problems when necessary.
Additional Resources
The following organizations specialize in cognitive challenges/learning disabilities and can provide further assistance and information:
National Center for Learning Disabilities